title: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction during pregnancy.
abstract: Many women with cerebrospinal fluid shunts are now reaching reproductive age. Shunt malfunction may occur during pregnancy, and management requires a well-planned, combined neurosurgical and obstetrical approach. We present a case of ventriculoperitoneal shunt obstruction manifesting during the third trimester managed successfully in a conservative fashion. The literature on ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction during pregnancy is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cusimano
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Meffe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gentili
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sermer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third